Spring training: what I’m thinking about (Feb. 21)

Mattingly said Puig showed up at camp weighing 251 pounds, 26 more than he weighed at the end of the regular season.

Puig, who is a muscular 6-foot-3, was 235 pounds at the beginning of last spring. The Dodgers are hoping Puig can lose some weight before the start of the season on March 22 in Australia.

“We don’t feel it’s going to be a problem, but we’re paying attention to it, put it that way,” Mattingly told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Off-season fitness, it matters.

Also worth considering – if Puig struggles to drop the weight, it could have a real impact on his BABIP, which was tied for the league’s second best (.383 last year). There is plenty to suggest that the Cuban outfielder should be able to sustain an elevated BABIP (something north of .350 is impressive), but if he’s lost a step because he added a foot to his waist, it’s going to be hard.

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On BABIP – the other thought for today? Joe Mauer’s in 2013. He’s the guy that was tied with Puig.

Mauer a line-drive machine. Hard Ball Times called him a “BABIP monster” in a profile of the Twins’ catcher in November. His average will continue forever and he’ll be on base too. It’s his power, but don’t mind that.